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The stats come just a year after Tinder banned under 18s from using its dating app over claims children below the age of consent were being groomed by adults online.

The minimum age limit previously stretched as low as 13, allowing young teens to browse, 'match' and exchange messages with hundreds of users up to the age of 55.

Spokesperson for Rape Crisis, Katie Russell said: "We know that online grooming, of adults as well as children, is a long-standing technique among sexual violence perpetrators. Dating websites and apps are now established among the range of means sexual offenders use to target and access women and girls in particular."

The charity says dating sites have a duty of care and responsibility to keep users safe from rape and other forms of sexual violence, especially as a third of couples now meet online.

"People should have a reasonable expectation of being able to use these products and services without fear of sexual violence,"Katie added.

But users looking to find love online also reported other serious crimes such as harassment, blackmail, fraud, domestic violence and robbery.

From July 2016 to July 2017, West Midlands Police recorded seven claims of domestic abuse, six of harassment, one of blackmail, four rapes of females 16 or over, two of robbery, two of fraud and a few lesser crimes - all linked to the aforementioned dating services.

The Coventry Telegraph previously reported how West Midlands Police had investigated three rape cases linked to Tinder in five years, along with 14 other serious offences within that time period.

And the number of dating app crimes has more than doubled in the last four years, according to the police records which showed 32 incidents reported in the last 12 months compared to just 15 in 2013/14.

But campaigners have warned that there are many more dating app hopefuls who may not have spoken out about the offences committed against them. With the popularity of online dating soaring higher each year, West Midlands Police have urged victims to report offences and seek support from its officers.

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Mark Silvester from the force crime reduction team reminded users that any unacceptable or suspicious behaviour can be flagged up directly to the dating service.

He said: "Providers want and need to know if there is a problem so that they can act and get people off their sites immediately to help safeguard users.”

He advised those using online dating sites and apps to be very careful about the where, when and how you meet people and to always take every precaution to ensure the other user is genuine before meeting in person.

"Never disclose private information and never be tempted to send or transfer money to people you meet online, however unfortunate their story," Mark explained.

"People should stop all communication with anyone who attempts to pressurise them into something they do not feel comfortable with and report any criminal activity to the police."